Jaguar Guapote - Cichlasoma managuense

The Jaguar Guapote aka Managuense cichlid Cichlasoma managuense, is not native to Florida, Louisiana or Utah, but breeding populations have been established in both Utah and Florida with a couple of specimens showing up in Louisiana waters but not shown to be reproducing in the wild there yet.

Jaguar Guapote are native to Central America and is popular in the tropical fish aquarium market which is probably their route of introduction through released pets. The Jaguar Guapote is an aggressive, predatory fish that will feed apon smaller native species.

The fish pictured here was caught in a small lake within the city limits of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Another, unconfirmed and with no picture available, was caught in Lake Henderson to the West of Baton Rouge.